Erb's Palsy Won't Stop You From Achieving Your Goals

February 26 2018 04:32 PM

Other

Matt Parsons

My story with Erbs Palsy

My name is Matt Parsons and I was born with Erb's Palsy / Brachial Plexus Injury in my left arm. I was a huge baby, almost 11lbs and I got stuck coming into the world. Due to the difficult birth, my left arm was left paralysed. After hours of physiotherapy and persistant determination, I regained around 75% movement back.

I was told by the doctors that I'd never catch a ball, play a musical instrument or do anything practical skill based. I now play guitar in a band, I'm a teacher of Design Technology and I played county cricket as a kid.

I started playing the drums and percussion at a young age as it was good exercise for my arm. I picked up my parents old guitar one day and realsied that I could actually play the guitar upside down, even though I physically can't turn my arm over. On my 18th birthday I got a left handed acoustic guitar as my left arm allows me to strum and fingerpick, my right arm plays the chords. Music became a real passions and I have ended up releasing albums and gigged for 15 years and it's a huge part of my life.

When I was a kid I loved cricket. I worked so hard at improving my game and it was my dream to play professionally. One year my coach sent me for county trials, but sadly I didn't get into the team. The following year I tried again and after hours of practice I finally made the squad! I ended up playing county cricket as a teenager, despite being told I'd never catch a ball.

I've recently set up a blog documenting my journey with Erbs Palsy, showing the exercises and stretches I do to strengthen my arm. The blog also has articles written by other people living with Erbs. I offer mentoring for people with Erbs Palsy to help them get one step closer to their goals. I'm in the process of filming a documentary about living with Erb's Palsy and I'm meeting people from around the world and getting to know how it effects them both physically and mentally. Hopefully working together we can raise awareness and beat BPI.

Matt Parsons

About

I was born with Erbs Palsy / Brachial Plexus Injury in my left arm leaving it paralysed at birth. Due to physiotherapy and determination I regained about 75% movement. I played county cricket as a teenager and I became a drummer and guitarist, released albums and gigged, despite being told I'd never catch a ball or play an instrument. I set up a blog called BeatingBPI to document my journey and I'm now filming a documentary about living with Erb's Palsy. Hopefully it will inspire others suffering from the same disability.